When a new manager arrives at a football club, one of the first things he usually does is gather as much information as possible.
That is why the suggestion Wilfried Nancy never sought out Shaun Maloney during his time at Celtic is so difficult to understand.
Maloney had been working closely with the Celtic squad and possessed knowledge that could only have helped the new manager settle into the job.
Whether Celtic supporters agree or not, it is a criticism of Nancy that is difficult to dismiss.
Sum up Wilfried Nancy’s 33 days at Celtic in one word…
Speaking to Maloney would have cost Nancy nothing at Celtic
There is a major difference between asking for information and taking instruction. No manager wants to arrive at a new club and simply continue somebody else’s work.
Equally, there is little downside in listening to someone who has spent weeks working closely with the squad.
Michael Gannon’s argument was straightforward as he told Record Celtic, “They’re in a port-a-cabin, which is 100 yards from the main entrance at Lennoxtown.
“And not once did Wilfried Nancy go and chap Shaun Maloney’s door and say, right, what’s been happening in the last seven weeks? You’ve won seven out of eight games in this period, lost once to FC Midtjylland, who were a good side. So what have you been doing?
“How did you approach it? What have I got here? None of that.
“And by the way, Martin O’Neill left, right, so I get the 15 minute conversation with Martin was daft as well, right? But not walking 100 yards and chap the door of the guy in the port-a-cabin, to me, just seemed a bit silly.”
This is really about good management by Nancy at Celtic
The key point is not whether Nancy needed Maloney’s advice. It is whether gathering information from someone already inside Celtic would have been sensible.
Maloney had been working with the Celtic players every day. He would have had insight into personalities, training standards and issues that may not be immediately obvious to a new manager.
None of this means Nancy has made a mistake that will define his Celtic tenure. Results will ultimately determine how his reign is judged.
However, on the specific point raised by Gannon, it is hard to argue that a brief conversation with Maloney would have done any harm. If anything, it looks like an opportunity missed.
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